March
1, 2007, The Post and Courier, Charleston SC
by David Slade
Some South Carolina mayors on Wednesday added their voices
to the growing chorus calling for stronger action to address
global warming.
"Clearly, we can't change the world from Spartanburg, but
we can do something to start the ball rolling," said Spartanburg
Mayor Bill Barnet.
The mayors coalition includes Republicans and Democrats
from towns and cities across the state.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., joined them by telephone,
and told them it's just a matter of time until there will
be mandatory limits on carbon emissions that will pose both
an opportunity and a challenge for South Carolinians.
Scientific consensus holds that carbon emissions, primarily
from the burning of fossil fuels, are warming the planet.
Graham said South Carolina could benefit by becoming a leader
in fuel-cell research, a producer of cellulose-based ethanol,
or a demonstration state for recycling nuclear waste.
It's a chance, he said, for South Carolina to become a leader,
rather than being defined by what it hasn't done.
"We've turned a corner up here in Washington, and in the
2008 election it will be difficult to be elected if you deny
that climate change is happening and that man is at least
part of the problem," Graham said. "South Carolina stands
to benefit as much as any state in the nationfrom alternatives
to fossil fuels, but we will also pay a price to get there."
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation hosted the mayors
for their announcement in Columbia. Executive Director Ben
Gregg said taking action on climate change now can protect
the future for children and wildlife, reduce dependence on
foreign oil, and create jobs in alternative fuel industries.
"We have reached a tipping point here in South Carolina," he
said.
While it's never been easy to find someone in favor of global
warming, there's been a groundswell of people and organizations
joining those concerned enough about the threat of climate
change to call for action. For example, just this year:
--Jan. 17: The National Association of Evangelicals, representing
45,000 churches, said it will work with scientists to seek
action on climate change.
--Jan. 23: The chief executive officers of 10 major corporations
called on President Bush to support mandatory emissions reductions.
--Feb. 16: Gov. Mark Sanford appointed a nine-member panel
to consider strategies for addressing climate change in South
Carolina and said the state should be "open to remedies based
on market principles, private property rights and conservative
ideology."
--Feb. 26: The governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico,
Oregon and Washington state announced plans to jointly develop
a market-based program to lower greenhouse gases.
--Feb. 28: Formation of the South Carolina Mayors for Climate & Energy
Leadership was announced.
"The sustainability of our planet is in jeopardy. This generation's
responsibility, now that we know, is to act, and act with
dispatch," Riley said.
Other mayors said things that address climate change, such
as "green" buildings and streets designed for pedestrian
and bike access, also make towns and cities more attractive
places to live.
"Even if global climate change is not a real thing - and
it is - and even if man isn't contributing to it - and he
is - mayors all around the country have proven that addressing
this is good business," said Sumter Mayor Joe McElveen.
The mayors plan to share information on their practices,
such as Union's plan to add plug-in hybrid vehicles to its
municipal fleet, or Charleston's success in reducing energy
use through efficiency measures. They also plan to press
state and federal lawmakers for action.
